Fuel prices set to fall

PETROL and diesel prices will begin to fall in Shetland in the coming days after months of spiralling costs at the pumps.

Many outlets are expected to cut their charges by nearly three pence a litre once they take delivery of new stock.

The drop is the result of crude oil prices starting to fall on world markets. The AA said the European wholesale gasoline price had fallen six per cent since the middle of this month but it was taking its time to filter through to the filling stations. Shetland’s main fuel supplier, Scottish Fuels, has just sent out new charging information to the outlets it stocks advising a drop of 2.94p a litre.

Yesterday two of the biggest local outlets, Leask’s Garage and Jim’s Garage in Lerwick, were still charging 131.9p for petrol and 145.9p for diesel while the two other fuel outlets in town were still charging 1p more for petrol and 2p more for diesel than their counterparts.

The charges were up to 20p a litre higher than the cheapest places in the UK. The average price recorded by the AA yesterday around the country was up to 15p cheaper than Lerwick at 118.3p for petrol and 132.1p for diesel.

Fuel prices hit the headlines in Shetland in May when rocketing charges led to calls for action to stop Shetland drivers being ripped off due to the big differential between the islands and the mainland.
The first £7 gallon of diesel was recorded in Bressay at the Mail Shop nearly two months ago.

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott said it was hard to imagine a bigger current issue for the islands.

The UK government eventually agreed to look at how other EU countries ensure their remote and island areas get cheaper fuel. The commitment was won by a delegation of Highlands and Islands MPs. The results of the study are still awaited.